This article is professionally consulted by MD, Specialist level I, Le Van Quang, Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor - General Surgery Department - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital. Dr. Le Van Quang is an expert in the field of Ear, Nose, and Throat with 15 years of experience.
Suppurative tonsilitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory lesion of the tonsils caused by bacteria or viruses. The disease can lead to many dangerous complications such as tonsillar abscess, peritonsillar cellulitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, lateral pharyngeal abscess, nephritis, arthritis, myocarditis, and sepsis."
1. What causes Suppurative Tonsillitis?
The tonsils have the function of producing antibodies to protect the body against bacteria that enter through the digestive and respiratory tracts. However, due to their structure with many crypts and compartments, they resemble a lymph node, meaning they have many lobes and are divided into several compartments, making it easy for food and bacteria to enter and cause inflammation. When bacteria invade and hide in the tonsillar crypts for an extended period, they form pus-filled masses. Due to the activity of the throat muscles during chewing and swallowing, along with the friction of food passing through the throat, these pus-filled cysts in the tonsillar crypts burst, appearing as white-greenish particles resembling pus and emitting a foul odor. This phenomenon is known as peritonsillar abscess."
2. Symptoms of Suppurative tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is known in two forms: acute tonsillitis and hypertrophic tonsillitis. If not treated promptly, it can develop into chronic tonsillitis.
When experiencing peritonsillar abscess, the symptoms include:
- White or greenish pus in the tonsillar crypts within the oral cavity. The tonsils are red, swollen, and covered with a lot of white discharge on the surface.
- A feeling of obstruction when swallowing, with a sore throat, especially during eating or drinking.
- Dry cough or cough with phlegm.
- Dry mouth, foul breath due to long-term pus accumulation.
- High fever, or no fever.
- General body aches and fatigue. Patients may experience a sore throat, a burning sensation in the throat, possible fever, or a slight feeling of fever.
- Phlegm stuck in the throat, making it very difficult to cough up or swallow.
- Foul breath.
- Occasionally, when coughing or sneezing, small white-greenish particles resembling pus may be expelled, emitting a very foul odor."
3. Complications of Suppurative Tonsillitis
Individuals with Suppurative Tonsillitis due to pus accumulation, if not treated promptly, may face many serious complications such as:
Local Complications:
- In the area of the inflamed tonsils, superinfection can occur, leading to the spread of inflammation and the formation of a tonsillar abscess, causing severe throat pain, difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking, and challenges in oral activities.
- Bacteria and viruses in the area of the peritonsillar abscess can spread to other regions, causing dental diseases, sinusitis, otitis media, etc. It can also lead to bad breath, making patients feel self-conscious while communicating.
- Laryngotracheobronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, otitis media, submandibular lymphadenitis, cellulitis, lateral pharyngeal abscess.
Systemic Complications:
- Sleep apnea syndrome in young children; enlarged tonsils may compress the airway, causing pressure on the lungs, making it difficult to swallow, breathe, or articulate.
Distant Complications:
- Nephritis, arthritis, myocarditis, sepsis, heart failure, pulmonary failure, arthritis, limb edema, facial edema, etc."
4. Preventing Suppurative Tonsillitis
To prevent Suppurative Tonsillitis, it is important to:
- Always pay attention to maintaining good health, improving physical condition, and increasing the body's resistance through regular exercise and physical activity.
- Maintain oral, nasal, and throat hygiene by brushing teeth after meals and gargling with warm salt water.
- Avoid excessive consumption of ice water and sudden changes to cold environments, especially when the outside temperature is high.
- Wear masks to avoid dust when working in highly polluted areas or in crowded places to prevent inhaling smoke, dust, or pathogens that can cause pharyngitis or tonsillitis.
- Actively examine and treat ear, nose, and throat conditions, as well as dental and facial issues.
- Enhance the body's resistance by exercising, maintaining a balanced diet, and avoiding cold exposure.
The Ear, Nose, and Throat Department at Vinmec International General Hospital specializes in diagnosing and treating common ENT conditions such as tonsillitis, sore throat, tinnitus, non-allergic rhinitis, throat cancer, head and neck tumors, and congenital abnormalities in the ear, nose, and throat using popular surgical methods.
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